2103: Martial Law (Love in Dark Times)

I will not be afraid

That I will not be afraid of death nor any impending harm, should I get caught.

Ilang araw na din ang lumipas simula ng mailibing na ang Tito ni Denise. Denise and I have been more careful. Dahil nga nasa watch list na kami ng mga Metrocom. We lent money to the organization and focused on helping kids from various orphanages. Denise and I have been going on weekends to do volunteer work with the kids. We taught them how to sing while Denise taught them how to write stories.

She looked so beautiful whenever she leans in with the kids to check on their work. She catches me from time to time looking at her. Ginagantihan naman ako nito ng mga ngiti. Natapos na ang buong araw, nagpaalam na kami sa mga bata. Hand in hand we walked back to my car, ipinagbukas ko siya ng pinto.

"Love, daan tayo sa simbahan." She asked me.

"Okay, mahal ko." I said as I turned left.

There was a church in sight, I pulled up the parking lot of the church. Hawak kamay kaming pumasok sa simbahan. Lumuhod kami at nagdasal.

"Love, maraming salamat for sharing your talent to those kids. For supporting me palagi." 

"Mahal ko, wala yun. Pangako ko naman yun sayo eh. Mamahalin kita at susuportahan sa lahat ng gusto mo. Andito lang ako Mahal. I support you."

"Love, malapit na akong magbar exam. Tuloy naman daw ang bar exam namin. So, I just wanted to be here sa church to make a promise sayo at sa harap ng Diyos." She said.

"Mahal ko, hindi mo naman kailangan mangako sa akin. Basta susuportahan naman kita." I said smiling.

"Kailangan ko lang gawin to love." She said smiling as she held my hand and placed it on her chest where her heart is.

"Love, I promise to pass the upcoming bar exam. To uphold the rule of law and give justice for every one in need. I promise to be yours faithfully, kahit mawawalan tayo ng time in the coming months please know I need to do it for the future of our kids. Para na din sayo love." She said sincerely.

"Mahal ko, hindi ako magsasawang suportahan ka. Hanggang maging Attorney Denise Jopson ka na." I said smiling at her.

I kissed her hand and held it tight. Afraid that anytime soon maari kaming dakipin ng mga metrocom, I am afraid for our own safety. Nakikita ko ang mga taong sumusunod sa amin. Minamanmanan ang bawat kilos namin ni Denise. Alam naman ni Denise na may mga nakasunod sa amin but we made a promise to ourselves to do what ever it is we wanted to do with our lives.

Let me tell you honestly kid, noong panahon ng Martial law, hindi kami malayang makakapagsalita laban sa rehimen. Ang tama ay ginagawang mali at ang mali ay pinipilit nilang maging tama.

"Talaga ba nanay? Ang hirap po pala nun. Nakakatakot. I am glad na hindi naman kayo nasaktan ni Mommy."

"Tadie anak, you haven't heard the whole story yet. Malapit nang matapos magkwento si Nanay." Denise smiled at our 9 year old child.

"So ano na pong nangyari Nanay?" My daughter said eagerly.

"So noong araw na yan, nangako ako sa Mommy mo na lagi ko lang siyang susuportahan."

"Tapos?" My daughter Tadie asked me.

"I'll tell you what? Gawin mo na muna ang history assignement mo, tapos we'll continue with the story later ha?" I said smiling at her.